Towards an Ethic of Care: Designing and delivering alternative housing models
Researcher
Cities People Love
Published
06 February 2025
Funding
Design Strategy Grant
Australia’s housing crisis has been a long time in the making. Debates focused on improving affordability through increases to supply don’t capture the whole story.
What is forgotten when we focus on the numbers is the need to also ensure our housing is diverse, well-designed, affordable and sustainable.This research uses a case study approach to undertake a ‘deep dive’ into innovative and exemplary housing projects.
Quantitative and qualitative data was collected on four housing projects, including in-depth interviews with leading design practitioners, supported by photos and drawings illustrating the benefits of each project. The case studies highlight current issues in housing and explore different solutions across a range of housing typologies, of varying scales of development and delivery models, and for diverse cohorts across Australia.
The interviews and case studies identified nine key insights relevant to the entire design and delivery process, from housing policy, through to the ongoing operation and maintenance of buildings.
